A senior leader of a Muslim rebel group linked to al Qaeda who kidnapped three Americans was killed this morning during a high-seas shootout, the Philippines military said.
Mr Abu Sabaya, spokesman of the Abu Sayyaf Muslim kidnapping group, was killed along with two of his men in a clash with an Navy Special Warfare Group (SWAG) unit before dawn, military officials said.
Four other gunmen were arrested after the navy sunk their boat off the coastal town of Sibuco on Mindanao island, the military added.
But officials backtracked on earlier statements that they had already recovered Mr Sabaya's body from the sea after the vessel sank during the gunbattle.
Regional military chief Major General Ernesto Carolina said that one of the SWAG members confirmed that he shot Mr Sabaya dead from a few metres away after Mr Sabaya fell into the water during the clash.
President Gloria Arroyo said Gen Carolina had informed her of Mr Sabaya's death and hailed the military "for their continuing determination and tenacity to finish off the Abu Sayyaf".